Crypto Index ETFs Will Be the Next Wave of Adoption – WisdomTree Exec

• WisdomTree’s Will Peck says crypto index ETFs could drive the next wave of adoption.
• These ETFs offer diversified baskets of cryptocurrencies, reducing idiosyncratic risk for investors.
• New investors often understand Bitcoin but struggle to evaluate the “next 20” crypto assets.
• Several crypto index ETFs have launched in 2025, including products by 21Shares and Hashdex.
• Peck expects more ETFs to launch, increasing competition but not necessarily signaling token credibility.
• US spot Bitcoin ETFs have surpassed expectations, attracting over $58.8 billion in net inflows since January 2024.

Will Peck, head of digital assets at WisdomTree, predicts that crypto index ETFs will fill a major gap in the market and drive the next wave of adoption. Speaking to Cointelegraph at The Bridge conference in New York City, Peck explained that these ETFs are ideal for investors who want exposure to multiple crypto assets without taking on individual token risk.

“It does seem like that’s going to be one of the next waves of adoption,” Peck said. “It solves a need, I think.”

Peck pointed out that while many new investors understand Bitcoin (BTC), they often struggle to evaluate other digital assets. A multi-asset crypto basket allows them to gain exposure to a broad range of tokens while mitigating idiosyncratic risk—the risk associated with individual token performance.

“Crypto we talked about as an asset class, but it’s really a technology, and the underlying return drivers of each of these tokens are actually quite different,” Peck said. “Even though they’re correlated generally, they behave differently based on the market and technology.”

Recent Crypto Index ETF Launches

Several crypto index ETFs have already launched this year. Most recently, 21Shares introduced two regulated crypto index ETFs under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Earlier, on September 25, Hashdex expanded its Crypto Index US ETF to include XRP, SOL, and XLM following SEC rule changes.

Peck noted that predicting broader adoption of these ETFs is challenging, but their utility makes wider adoption likely. Investors now have access to products that simplify exposure to multiple cryptocurrencies, reducing risk while still participating in the market.

Competition and Market Dynamics

Peck expects a surge in crypto ETF launches as issuers compete for early advantages. However, he cautioned that an ETF listing does not automatically confer authority or credibility to the underlying token.

“Five years ago, you might have thought that if something had an ETF, it must have an institutional stamp of approval,” Peck said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily how the SEC should operate. Clients need to make the right choices with their own money.”

Peck also highlighted that spot Bitcoin ETFs launched in January 2024 have already surpassed expectations. He said it’s remarkable how large the Bitcoin ETF category has grown, calling it one of the most competitive segments of the US ETF market.

Since their launch, these ETFs have accumulated around $58.83 billion in net inflows, showing strong demand and investor interest in regulated crypto investment products.

Final Thought

Crypto index ETFs are emerging as a practical way for investors to participate in the digital asset market while managing risk. With multiple launches already this year and demand for diversified crypto exposure growing, these ETFs could indeed represent the next major wave of crypto adoption.